IB Chinese Tutor Guide to PYP Curriculum
- Aileen Ting
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 5 hours ago
If your child is in an IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) school, you probably hear a lot of words like “inquiry”, “unit of inquiry” and “transdisciplinary themes”.
It sounds impressive, but many parents ask me a very simple question:
“What does my child actually learn in PYP Chinese, and are they on track?”
This guide explains the IB PYP curriculum in a parent-friendly way and shows how PYP Chinese (Mandarin) works in real classrooms.
If you’d like a full overview of how I support PYP, MYP and IB Chinese B students, you can also check my IB Chinese tutor page.
What is the IB PYP curriculum?
The IB PYP curriculum is used in many international primary schools for children aged about 3–12. Instead of teaching every subject separately, PYP uses big themes, such as:
Who we are
Where we are in place and time
How we express ourselves
How the world works
How we organise ourselves
Sharing the planet
Teachers connect different subjects through these themes. So English, Chinese, Maths and even Art may all link to the same unit.
For parents, the key questions are usually: What does my child actually learn in PYP Chinese, are they on track, and do we need extra help from an IB Chinese tutor in HK or not?
What is PYP Chinese (Mandarin)?
In most PYP schools, Chinese is taught in different streams:
As an additional language for non-Chinese speaking students
As a main language for students with a Chinese background
PYP Chinese usually focuses on four skill areas:
Listening
Speaking
Reading
Writing
Sometimes there is also viewing and presenting (for example, describing a picture or simple slideshow).
Students are normally placed by Phase (their language level), not only by age. The goal is to use Mandarin as a tool for inquiry, not just to memorise vocabulary.
For example:
If the unit is “Sharing the planet”, Chinese lessons may include animals, environment, recycling, or simple “save the Earth” phrases.
If the unit is “How we express ourselves”, they might learn hobbies, feelings, music and art words in Mandarin.
This can be very fun and creative, but many parents notice a problem: their child enjoys the topics, but cannot remember characters or make clear sentences. That is where a structured curriculum helps.
What children learn in our PYP Mandarin class
Our PYP Chinese class follows the IB curriculum, but adds clear goals, step-by-step character learning, and regular review. I also adjust for each child’s stream (beginner, intermediate, or near-native) and their school expectations.
Younger PYP students (Years 1–2)
Focus: Confidence, listening, copying sounds and simple characters. They typically work on:
Simple greetings and classroom phrases (“Hello”, “Thank you”, “May I go to the toilet?”)
Numbers, colours, family members, common objects
Songs, chants and stories in Mandarin
Recognising and copying very simple characters
Basic stroke order and good writing habits
At this age, I keep lessons very visual and playful, but slowly build a base of useful words and phrases.
Middle PYP students (Years 3–4)
Focus: Basic communication and simple sentence building. We usually cover:
Talking about school life, hobbies, food, weather and feelings
Reading short sentences and simple paragraphs
Writing simple sentences with patterns such as “Today I…”, “I like… because…”
Vocabulary linked to common PYP units (community, environment, health, etc.)
Chinese festivals and very simple cultural stories
Here, many children start to feel “stuck” if they missed foundation vocabulary. I often use this stage to fill gaps and organise their knowledge so they feel more at ease.
Upper PYP students (Years 5–6)
Focus: Preparing for MYP and later IB Chinese B. We work on:
Short conversations on familiar topics, with reasons and opinions
Reading short stories and simple non-fiction texts
Writing short paragraphs, diary entries, and informal notes
Learning more characters, basic radicals and word families
Cultural values through age-appropriate stories and real-life examples
This is a good time to build stronger foundations so the move into secondary school Chinese is smoother and less stressful.
How an IB Chinese Tutor HK supports school learning
When a family asks for support with PYP Chinese, we normally:
Check which PYP school and year group the child is in.
Read the latest Chinese report and comments.
Look at school books, online platforms, and any homework (if available).
Then we design IB Chinese classes that:
Match the current Unit of Inquiry.
Use the same key vocabularies and sentence structures as school.
Fill gaps in listening, speaking, reading or writing.
Add clear, step-by-step practice with characters.
A simple example: If a Year 4 student is doing a unit on “How we express ourselves”, a lesson might include:
Feelings words and hobbies vocabularies in Mandarin.
A short reading text about how one child likes to express themselves.
Writing a short paragraph about your child’s interests.
Practising a short spoken presentation they might use in class.
This way, tutoring supports the IB PYP curriculum instead of competing with it. Children feel more prepared and less confused.
Does Your Child Need an IB Chinese Tutor?
Families come to us for different reasons. It is not always because a child is struggling; sometimes they just need more practice than a busy classroom can offer.
You might need extra support if:
The "Optional Homework" Battle: Many PYP schools make Chinese practice optional, so children simply refuse to do it. We provide the structure and routine they need to actually practise.
Falling Behind: Your child is doing well in English inquiry but feels lost or "below expectations" in Chinese.
Focus Issues: Younger students often struggle to concentrate in a large class. Private tutoring provides the 1:1 attention they need to stay on track.
New to the System: You are new to Hong Kong or the IB, and need a bridge to catch up.
You might also want enrichment if your child is doing well:
Craving Conversation: Class sizes are large, so your child gets very little chance to speak. Tutoring gives them 100% attention to practise speaking with a local native tutor.
Wanting More Challenge: Your child picks up languages quickly and feels bored by the school’s pace. We can go deeper into reading and vocabulary to keep them engaged.
Future Proofing: You want to secure a strong foundation now to make the jump to MYP and IB Chinese B easier later on.
A note on finding the right fit: Every child learns differently. Some students thrive with a challenging academic push, while younger or more hesitant learners may need a patient, play-based approach. During the trial, we assess your child’s level and personality to ensure they are matched with the right tutor.
In the trial lesson, we usually check what they are learning in school, talk to them in simple Chinese and English, do a few reading and writing tasks, and give you a feed back to discuss a learning path.
It is normal for children to be hesitant about tutoring at first. However, once they get into a routine and start understanding their school lessons better, the resistance usually fades. For students who are already doing well, this consistency is often the key to becoming truly bilingual in the future."
Bottom line
The IB PYP curriculum gives children a creative, theme-based way to learn. For Chinese, however, many students still need extra structure and repetition.
A clear PYP Mandarin curriculum, linked to school units and supported by regular practice, helps children remember characters, make better sentences, and speak more naturally in class.
Next step
If you’d like structured Mandarin lessons for your child—either in person in Hong Kong or online—you are welcome to explore:
You can also WhatsApp us with your child’s year group and school, and I’ll suggest a simple starting plan.
FAQ: IB PYP Curriculum & PYP Chinese
What age is the PYP for? The PYP is usually for children aged 3–12, from early years up to around Year 6.
Is PYP Chinese only about speaking? No. Most schools include listening, speaking, reading and writing, but the balance depends on the Phase and stream.
What if my child joins PYP without any Mandarin? This is very common in Hong Kong. With the right level group and some extra support, many children can catch up and feel more comfortable.
Will PYP Mandarin help with IB Chinese B later? Yes. A solid base in basic vocabulary, characters and sentence patterns makes the jump to MYP and IB Chinese B much less stressful.
Written by Aileen Ting, founder of Mandarin & Cantonese Tutor HK.